Alan Keane out to make history for Sligo Rovers

Sligo goalscorers Alan Keane and Danny North celebrate after the first leg

Sligo Rovers captain Alan Keane is focussed on “seeing out the job” and making history in the second leg of the Bit O’Red’s Europa League second round qualifier against Rosenborg.

Sligo secured a remarkable 2-1 win away in the Lerkendal Stadium last week, and go into the game at the Showgrounds on Thursday in control.

Speaking to RTÉ Sport, Keane said Sligo were looking to see the tie out, but stressed that it would not be easy.

“We’ve seen them enough, you know,” Keane said.

“Hopefully we can come along and probably see the tie out. But it’s going to be difficult, because they’re technically very good.”

Keane and his team-mates are all too aware of the magnitude of the task in hand.

“Everyone is focussed,” he said. “It’s a chance to make history as well, for Sligo Rovers Football Club.

“We’ve been struggling here for years. Since I came here in 2009, we haven’t got through a round in Europe, and now we’ve a chance of getting ]through] two rounds, and possibly four games away from a group stage.”

“Once the Showgrounds is rocking, there’s no better place to be" - Alan Keane

“It’s never nice for the players to get the manager the sack,” Keane said. “They’ll be looking to impress whoever is looking on for the new manager’s role.

“We’ve just got to apply ourselves. I’m sure they won’t fancy coming here, with the tight pitch and stuff like that, and with the 3,900 fans here. We’ve just got to concentrate on our game, and take it from that.”

He said that Sligo’s European success was just reward for the club’s fans following a topsy-turvy domestic season, and predicted a carnival atmosphere for Thursday’s game.